Employers urged to inject fresh thinking with Graduate Management programme

For the first time in 2018, the programme is being run in partnership between Skills for Care and the NHS Leadership Academy, fast-tracking highly motivated graduates towards leadership roles, based on strategic and frontline experience offered by their hosts.

Skills for Care CEO Sharon Allen said: “This very successful programme has been running for six years now, and we know that the innovative work the graduates carry out does provide great value for money for any care organisation.

“The 2018 programme will encourage thinking and partnership working across different sectors as the graduates develop person-centred solutions to the projects they manage. This programme works because 90% of our last graduate cohort chose to make social care their career, and often with the host organisation.”

The graduates complete a rigorous values-based selection process and successful candidates are then carefully matched for a year-long placement with organisations that are a good fit for their skills and interests.

Age UK Cheshire was involved in the 2016 programme. Sean Ray, Digital Inclusion Coordinator and Social Activities Officer said: “Our trainee took a pivotal role in creating a new health project, and the support they received from Skills for Care was invaluable throughout their time here.

Skills for Care is looking for applications from social care employers who can offer challenging roles that will support the development of the next generation of leaders in our sector. In return, organisations will be supported with funding for graduate learning and development, supervision and management support.

The deadline for applications from organisations is 3 October 2017. Employers can request an application form by emailing [email protected].

Further information about the programme, benefits and associated costs can be found here.

_{Picture (c) Chris Radburn / PA Wire.}